A research project in Odisha is working on the possibility of promoting wild yams commercially. These tubers grow in abundance in the state’s tribal areas and are high in nutrition.

Villagers in cholera-hit Kashipur block of Rayagada complain that they have been forced to drink contaminated water from tubewells, open wells and ponds, which has led to the spread of the deadly bacterial disease. Government claims to be responding on a war footing.